Importing Dogs and cats from the Vanuatu

8 December 2005

domaniic.van

Issued pursuant to Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Date: 8 December 2005

USER GUIDE

The information in MAF animal and animal product import health standards is presented in numerically ordered sections with descriptive titles. Sections are grouped into one of four parts, designated alphabetically.

Part A. GENERAL INFORMATION contains sections of general interest, including those relating to the legal basis for MAF import health standards and the general responsibilities of every importer of animals and animal products.

Part B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE contains sections that outline the requirements to be met prior to and during importation. Whether a permit to import is required to be obtained prior to importation is noted, as are conditions of eligibility, transport and general conditions relating to documentation accompanying the consignment.

Part C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE contains sections describing the requirements to be met at the New Zealand border and, if necessary, in a transitional facility in New Zealand prior to any consignment being given biosecurity clearance.

Part D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION contains model health certification which must be completed by the appropriate personnel as indicated in the certification and accompany the consignment to New Zealand. When MAF has accepted health certification produced by a government authority in the exporting country as meeting the requirements of the model health certification this is noted. When no health certification is required to accompany consignments Part D. will note “none required”.

PART A. GENERAL INFORMATION

1 IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD

1.1 Pursuant to section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993, this is the import health standard for the importation of dogs and cats into New Zealand from Vanuatu.

2 REVIEW OF IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD

The import health standard may be reviewed and amended when there is a change in policy, or as directed by the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager.

3 DOCUMENTATION

The permit to import and all the required documentation must accompany the animals to New Zealand. The required documentation is detailed below:

3.1 Zoosanitary Certificate;

3.2 Veterinary Certificate A and

3.3 Veterinary Certificate B.

4 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Biosecurity direction

Direction or authorisation given by an Inspector for uncleared goods to proceed to a transitional facility.

Biosecurity clearance

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Biosecurity Standards Group Manager

The Biosecurity Standards Group Manager, Biosecurity New Zealand, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, or any person who for the time being may lawfully exercise and perform the power and functions of the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager

Equivalence

Acceptance by the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager that the circumstances relating to the importation of a consignment are such that the health status of the consignment is equivalent to the health status of a consignment that complies with the requirements of the import health standard.

New Zealand Inspector

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

MAF

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Transitional facility

As defined by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

Official Veterinarian

An official veterinarian means a veterinarian authorised by the Veterinary Administration of the country to perform certain designated official tasks associated with animal health and/or public health and inspections of commodities and, when appropriate, to certify in conformity with the provisions of the chapter of the OIE Code pertaining to obligations of certification.

Accredited Veterinarian

A veterinarian accredited to provide export certification on behalf of the Government Veterinary Service.

Veterinary Officer

A registered veterinarian who is an inspector under the Biosecurity Act employed either by MAF or by a supplier contracted to provide services to MAF.

Permit to import

A permit issued by the Director General of MAF pursuant to section 22 1(A) of the Biosecurity Act 1993 upon an importer’s demonstration that certain requirements of the import health standard have been met in advance of an importation being made, such that a transitional facility is available to accept the consignment/s. The procedure for application and the information required for a permit to import are detailed within the import health standard.

1 EQUIVALENCE

The import health standard has been agreed as being suitable for trade between the exporting and the importing countries. It is expected that the animal/s will meet the conditions in every respect.

Occasionally it is found that, due to circumstances beyond the importer's control, the animal/s or products do not comply completely with the requirements. In such cases an application for equivalence will be considered and issued at the discretion of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (NZMAF), but only if the following information is forwarded by the certifying government's veterinary authorities:

1.1 which clause/s of the import health standard cannot be met and how this has occurred;

1.2 the reason the animal/s are considered to be of an "equivalent health status" and/or what proposal is made to return the animal/s to an equivalent health status as set-out in the health conditions;

1.3 the reasons why it is believed that this proposal should be acceptable to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the recommendation for its acceptance.

PART B. IMPORTATION PROCEDURE

2 PERMIT TO IMPORT

6.1 A permit to import must be obtained before importation. Applications should be made to: Animal Imports, Pre Clearance Directorate, Biosecurity New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), P O Box 2526 Wellington.

2.1 The importer must supply the following information:

2.1.1 name and address of exporter;

2.1.2 breed, sex, age and microchip/transponder identification of the animal;

2.1.3 name of the dog and cat transitional facility in New Zealand, approved to the MAF Standard for Dog and Cat Transitional Facilities 154.02.09 where the animal will be quarantined;

2.1.4 a letter from the operator of the above facility confirming availability of space for the animal(s) at the time of importation.

2.2 Following receipt of the required information, a single entry permit to import shall be issued and will be valid for the one-month period starting from the date of availability of quarantine noted by the approved quarantine operator.

3 IMPORTER RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 All costs of selection, testing, treatment, transport, quarantine and veterinary supervision must be borne by the importer or agent as appropriate.

3.2 The importer or agent must make all arrangements for transport and obtain necessary transit authorisations from any third countries on the transport route.

4 ELIGIBILITY FOR IMPORTATION

4.1 Eligibility for importation under this import health standard is confined to members of the species Canis familiaris (domestic dog) and Felis catis (domestic cat).

4.2 Dogs of the following breeds (including crosses of these breeds) are not eligible for importation:

• American Pit Bull Terrier;

• Dogo Argentino;

• Japanese Tosa; and

• Brazilian Fila

4.3 The animals must have been resident in the exporting country for the 6 months prior to export or since birth, and the animals must not have been resident in an official quarantine premises in the 60 days immediately prior to export.

4.4 Animals must not be more than 42 days pregnant at the date of shipment.

4.5 Animals must be more than 16 weeks old at departure.

4.6 Animals imported directly from New Zealand into the country or territory of export may be re-exported to New Zealand with less than 6 months residency under the following additional conditions:

4.6.1 the animal has resided continuously in the country or territory of export since being imported directly from New Zealand;

4.6.2 the animal was identified by microchip prior to departure from New Zealand

Permits to import issued under the above conditions will require a letter of equivalence to be issued exempting the animal from the residency requirements prior to departure from New Zealand.

5 IDENTIFICATION

Each animal must be identified with a microchip and the identification details must be shown on the accompanying certification. It is recommended that microchip brands adopted by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) are used. If a non-ISO approved microchip is used, the importer shall ensure that a reader is made available to identify animals arriving in New Zealand quarantine.

The identity of the animal must be confirmed by reading the microchip each time a treatment or test is performed, and at the time of export certification.

6 HEALTH CERTIFICATION

6.1 The required health tests and treatments are stated in Veterinary Certificate A, which must be signed by an Official Veterinarian or registered veterinary surgeon in Vanuatu.

6.2 All serological tests must be conducted at a Government, or Government approved laboratory.

6.3 Recommendations for New Zealand dog owners importing a dog from countries where canine heartworm is endemic:

6.3.1 the dog should be tested by a veterinarian for heartworm 7 months after importation using the microfilariae concentration test, and an antigen test.

6.3.2 New Zealanders who take their dogs to countries where canine heartworm is endemic should ensure that the dogs are given prophylactic treatment according to the manufacturer’s recommendation with avermectin drugs effective against the fourth stage larvae of Dirofilaria immitis which causes canine heartworm.

7 TRANSPORT TO NEW ZEALAND

7.1 If transported by air, the animal must be carried in an approved container that meets the International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards.

7.2 The container must be nose and paw proof, ie. only have ventilation openings of such size that it is impossible for the animal to protrude its nose or paws outside the container.

7.3 The container must be new, or thoroughly cleaned prior to use. The container must be free of dirt and ticks.

7.4 If consigned by sea (N.B. does not include transport on private yachts), the Master of the vessel must certify that the imported animal was confined on board and has had no contact with animals not of a tested equivalent health status at each port of call. Consignment by sea requires prior approval of the transport method and route by the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager, NZMAF.

7.5 No animals other than those qualified for entry into Australia or New Zealand are permitted to be carried on the aircraft or vessel.

7.6 The use of straw or hay as bedding is not permitted. Only sterilised peat, soft board or other inert approved products may be used.

7.7 The door of the transport container must be sealed with a government approved seal before the container is loaded into the aircraft or vessel in the country of origin. The number or mark on the seal is to be recorded in Veterinary Certificate B. The construction of the container and the placement of the seal must be such that the container cannot be readily opened without breaking the seal. If the container is opened during shipment it shall be re-sealed and a certificate detailing the circumstances provided by an Official Veterinarian, Port Authority or Captain of the aircraft. Instructions to this effect should be attached to the outside of the transport container.

7.8 The container may only be transhipped (change of aircraft or vessel) in countries or territories that are rabies free or where rabies is well controlled (as recognised by NZMAF).

These countries and territories include:

Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, The Netherlands, Netherland Antilles and Aruba, Portugal, Republic of Croatia, Reunion, Sabah, Sarawak, Seychelles, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent Grenadin, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna, Yugoslavia.

American Samoa, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Island, Spain, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, Western Samoa.

Australia, Fiji, Japan, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Singapore, Sweden, Norway, Eire (Republic of Ireland) & United Kingdom.

Transhipment will require the specific authorisation of the government veterinary authority of the country in which transhipment occurs.

7.9 The NZMAF Quarantine Service of the region in which the port of arrival is situated must be notified at least 72 hours before the expected time of arrival of any animal, giving the flight number/ship number and arrival time.

PART C. CLEARANCE PROCEDURE

8 BIOSECURITY DIRECTION

8.1 On arrival in New Zealand an Inspector under the Biosecurity Act 1993 shall, having verified that all the required documentation is present, issue a biosecurity direction that authorises the movement of the imported dog or cat to the approved dog and cat transitional facility named on the permit to import. If there are any certification problems the supervisor shall be notified.

8.2 The NZMAF Quarantine Service shall notify the supervisor of the transitional facility when the animal arrives in New Zealand.

8.3 The animal will be transported directly to the approved dog and cat transitional facility named on the permit by the operator or agent of that facility. The operator or agent must use a transport method approved by the supervisor of the facility.

9 QUARANTINE IN NEW ZEALAND

9.1 Animals shall be held for a minimum period of 30 days in a transitional facility approved to the MAF Standard for Dog and Cat Transitional Facilities 154.02.09.

9.2 If the container is unsealed, the seal is broken, or if the accompanying documentation is unsatisfactory, the animal may, at the discretion of the Biosecurity Standards Group Manager and at the expense of the importer, be exported, destroyed, or required to remain in quarantine for up to 180 days.

9.3 During quarantine, each imported dog may be tested for heartworm due to Dirofilaria immitis, leptospirosis due to Leptospira interrogans var canicola, canine brucellosis (Brucella canis), canine babesiosis (Babesia gibsoni) and canine tropical pancytopaenia (Ehrlichia canis). If the animal is positive to any of these tests it may be treated and re-tested. If the dog is subsequently considered to be infected it may be further treated, or exported, destroyed or detained in quarantine.

9.4 Within the first 3 days of entering quarantine, each imported dog and cat must be efficaciously treated for ecto and endoparasites, including tapeworm.

9.5 All cats and dogs entering a transitional facility should have a current vaccination status against at least the following:

9.5.1 for cats: feline panleukopenia (enteritis), feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus;

9.5.2 for dogs: canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus, canine parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough).

9.6 The Biosecurity Standards Group Manager, NZMAF reserves the right to review the quarantine period or conditions to be completed by any animal.

10 BIOSECURITY CLEARANCE

The animal will be eligible for biosecurity clearance after 30 days. The biosecurity clearance will be given by the supervisor of the transitional facility when all conditions as specified in the MAF Standard for Dog and Cat Transitional Facilities 154.02.09 have been met.

PART D. ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

15 MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATION

The following Model Zoosanitary Certificate contains the information required by MAF to accompany imports of dogs and cats into New Zealand from Vanuatu

MODEL ZOOSANITARY CERTIFICATE:

Species: DOGS AND CATS

To: NEW ZEALAND

Permit to Import Number.

Exporting Country: VANUATU

Competent Authority:

I: IDENTIFICATION OF ANIMALS

1. Microchip identification number:
2. Anatomical site of microchip:
3. Physical description of animal:
4. Name:
5. Breed:
6. Sex:
7. Date of Birth:
8. Total number of animals:

II: ORIGIN OF THE ANIMALS

1. Name(s) and address(es) of exporter(s):
2. Place(s) of origin of animals:
3. Port of embarkation:

III: DESTINATION OF ANIMALS

1. Name and address of consignee:
2. Means of transport:
3. Port of arrival:

IV: SANITARY INFORMATION

Owner/exporter’s statutory declaration:

I, do solemnly and sincerely declare, in respect of the dog for export to New Zealand identified below, that:

Name of animal: Breed:

Age: Sex:

Colour/description/identification:

To the best of my knowledge and belief the dog is not one of the following breeds or types: American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino (including a cross of one or more of these breeds or types).

Signature of owner or exporter:

Declared at , this day of 20

before me

(signature and printed name person authorised to take a statutory declaration)

Registered Veterinarian declaration:

I, being a registered veterinarian, certify, in respect of the animal described above, that:

After due enquiry and/or physical examination of the animal for export, I have no reason to doubt the owner/exporter’s statutory declaration.

Signature of Registered Veterinarian:

Date:

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE A

I, an Official Veterinarian or registered veterinary surgeon in Vanuatu, certify with respect to the animal/s identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate:

1 After due enquiry, I am satisfied that the animal has been continuously resident in Vanuatu for the 6 months prior to export and has not been in quarantine or under quarantine restrictions during the preceding 60 days.

2 After due enquiry and physical examination, I am satisfied that the animal will not be more than 42 days pregnant at the scheduled time of shipment.

3 After due enquiry and physical examination, I am satisfied that the animal will be more than 16 weeks old at the scheduled time of shipment.

4 The animal was identified with an implanted transponder/microchip.

Microchip number:

Anatomical site implanted:

5 In the case of a dog, it has been tested and treated for canine heartworm (Dirofilaria

immitis) according to the following schedule:

5.1 if older than six months of age on the scheduled date of export, within 30 days of departure one to two mL of blood were collected from the dog and tested negative to the following tests:

5.1.1 a microfilariae concentration test;

Date blood collected for test:

5.1.2 an antigen test (Witness HW, Agen; Snap Heartworm PF, Idexx; PetChek Heartworm PF, Idexx).

Date blood collected for test:

(N.B.: The antigen test must be conducted at a government approved laboratory and the microfilariae concentration test may be performed by a veterinary practitioner.)

5.2 within 4 days of the scheduled date of departure the dog has been treated with the either of the following drugs at the respective dose rate:

EITHER

5.2.1 ivermectin at 6 μg/kg

OR

5.2.2 milbemycin at 0.5 mg/kg

OR

5.2.3 moxidectin at 2 - 4 μg/kg

OR

5.2.4 sustained release formulation moxidectin (ProHeart SR-12 Injection) at the approved dose rate.

Date of treatment:

6 In the case of a dog, within 30 days prior to the scheduled date of shipment, the dog has had blood collected and been tested for the following diseases:

6.1 Brucella canis

EITHER

6.1.1 using the slide agglutination test (microscopic agglutination test), with a negative result in each case;

Date blood collected for this test:

(Note: a rapid slide agglutination test using 2-mercaptoethanol and a less mucoid (M-) variant of Brucella canis as antigen (as described by Carmichael and Joubert, Cornell Vet. 1987, 77: 3-12) is recommended to reduce the incidence of false positive reactions.)

OR

6.1.2 using the AGID I (cell wall antigen) test. If this test result is positive, then the dog has been tested with negative results using the AGID II (cytoplasmic antigen) test, for Brucella canis.

Date blood collected for AGID I test:

Date blood collected for AGID II test (if applicable):

(Delete whichever of 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 is not applicable)

6.2 Leptospirosis using the agglutination-lysis test for leptospirosis serotype Leptospira canicola with;

EITHER

6.2.1 negative results (negative is less than 50% agglutination at 1:100);

Date blood collected for test:

OR

6.2.2 where the first sample shows a positive titre of not more than 1:400, a second sample collected at an interval of not less than 14 days must show no increase in the titre above that of the first test;

Date blood collected for test 1:

Date blood collected for test 2:

OR

6.2.3 the dog has been treated at a therapeutic dose rate with doxycycline for 14 consecutive days or dihydrostreptomycin for 5 days, during the 30 days prior to the scheduled shipment.

Medication and dose rate:

Dates of treatment:

(Delete whichever of 6.2.1, 6.2.2 or 6.2.3 is not applicable)

6.3 Canine infectious cyclic thrombocytopaenia and canine ehrlichosis using the indirect fluorescent antibody test for Ehrlichia platys and Ehrlichia canis with;

EITHER

6.3.1 negative results;

Date blood collected for test:

OR

6.3.2 positive results and the dog has been treated with doxycycline at a dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight on 14 consecutive days during the 30 days prior to the scheduled shipment.

Date blood collected for test:

Dates of treatment:

(Delete whichever of 6.3.1 or 6.3.2 is not applicable)

7 In the case of a dog, within 10 days of the scheduled date of shipment a blood sample and a thin blood smear made from a drop of blood obtained from an ear margin are collected, at the same time, and the following tests performed:

7.1 Indirect fluorescent antibody test for Babesia gibsoni using antigens appropriate for the strain likely to be present in all the countries where the dog has been resident, with a negative result (cutoff is 1:40).

AND

7.2 Examination of blood smear with negative result for Babesia gibsoni.

Date blood collected for tests:

8 In the case of a dog and/or cat:

8.1 Within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment, the animal was subject to two faecal examinations, at least 14 days apart, using a sensitive flotation procedure (able to detect 50 eggs per gram) which was negative for hookworm eggs;

Date of faecal collection for first test;

Date of faecal collection for second test:

8.2 Within 21days AND within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment the animal was treated with a broad spectrum anthelmintic(s) effective against nematodes, cestodes and trematodes, at the manufacturers recommended dose rate(s);

Date of first treatment:

Active ingredient(s) and dosage used:

Date of second treatment:

Active ingredient(s) and dosage used:

8.3 Within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment, the animal was treated with an ectoparasiticide dip, spray, or topical preparation capable of killing ticks, lice and fleas;

Date of treatment:

Active ingredient:

9 Within 4 days of the scheduled date of shipment, I examined the animal/s for export to New Zealand and found it/them to be free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases and free from external parasites.

10 All serological tests were conducted at a Government laboratory or a laboratory approved by the Government Veterinary Service of this country.

1. Registered Veterinarian or Date of Signature
2. Official Veterinarian

(Delete whichever of i) or ii) is not applicable*)

Name and address of office:

* In the case of i) being applicable:

I, an Official Veterinarianthat

............................................................. is a registered Veterinary Surgeon in Vanuatu.

Official Veterinarian Official stamp and date

Name and address of office:

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE B

I, the Vanuatu Official Veterinarian at the port of export certify in regards to the animal identified in the attached Zoosanitary Certificate, that:

1. Vanuatu is free of rabies, and no case of rabies has been detected within the 12 months prior to the date of export of the dog and cat.
2. I have confirmed the identity of the animal by reading the implanted transponder/microchip:
   • Microchip number:
   • Anatomical site implanted:
3. The animal was inspected and found to be healthy and fit to travel, and free from the clinical signs of infectious or contagious disease.
4. All the required documents were examined and correctly completed in accordance with New Zealand import health standard requirements.
5. The animal was placed in a container that meets IATA standards. The container was new or thoroughly cleaned prior to use. It is free of dirt and ticks and was fastened with an official seal bearing the number or mark:

Official Veterinarian Official stamp and datee

Name and address of office:

DOMANIIC.VAN AI-VA01O